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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Buttermilk Tarts - Outdoor Wednesday

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Walking this angular path began a reverie that led me back to the gardens of my childhood. The homes in that neighborhood sat on small city lots whose gardens were nothing more than rectangular borders that repeated from one house to the next. These beds began with a row of white sweet alyssum that was backed in turn by the tiered support of blue argeratum, gold marigolds and red geraniums. The more creative neighbors managed to insert salvia and snapdragons into the borders and that made the riot of colors even more explosive. Occasionally, there'd be a patch of gem toned cannas, the old Victorian type, that towered over tiny four foot gardeners learning how to weed. To the eyes of a child these gardens were like a box of crayons and gorgeous in the order of their rigid symmetry. They were planted from seed, watered by hand and tended with great care. Buried deep within a woman's genome there must be something that drives the creation of beauty where none exists. These old city gardens were proof of that. They were nursed to life with a dollar's worth of seed in gravel, clay and sand. I've seen lots of gardens and created many of my own but none are as treasured or remembered with such fondness as those of my childhood. It is a tender mercy.

Memories of childhood desserts go hand in hand with those of city gardens. There were puddings and myriad pies of fruit and custard, and every once in a while buttermilk pie, a personal favorite, would appear on the table. The pie, while delicious, is not photogenic, so, I decided to use the buttermilk custard as a base for glazed tarts that look more appetizing. The tarts are covered with a thin layer of fruit preserves to add color and make them sparkle. I really prefer the pie au natural, but if you need eye candy the tarts are a better way to go. Buttermilk pie is the economical precursor to cheesecake. It's bite comes from low-fat buttermilk and sour cream that's been perked up with freshly grated lemon zest. That background flavor that plays on the tongue is cardomom. I love to make this at the height of berry season. It's really creamy and delicious.

I certainly enjoyed your trip back to the neighborhoods of your childhood days. And your vivid description of the canna lilies towering over it all. Great reminiscing...it was like I was there with you walking down the walk.

And the tarts? Well now, let's not make a scene...but, I deMAND one of 'em right now. [kidding]

I've always admired those who have such organized flower beds, they look so beautiful. Mine are just the opposite, I see a plant I like and buy one, or several, and just plant them where there's room. Not nearly as beautiful, but it fits my personality (don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing).

Buttermilk pie ... that takes me back. My aunt taught me to drink buttermilk and I love it to this day. My grandmother was the pie maker and buttermilk pie from her kitchen was divine even without a topping. Very beautiful with topping Mary.

Mary, Had to come back by again...Oh my goodness...a comforter at night...Miss those night. It suppose to cool off to ...guess what Low 90 by this weekends hahaha Maybe I should come see ya...:D Katherinellen

What you wrote about women and needing beauty reminded me of a quote I knew I'd seen in a book recently. So I looked it up. It says: "The beautiful is as useful as the useful, perhaps more so." -Victor HugoBrenda

What a lovely memory!! I love the flowers. To think that we whine nowadays. Gardening back then must have been even more arduous! My mother makes a buttermilk pie, but... don't tell.... yours looks yummier!! ;0) I like the idea of the fruit. I t would add a little flavor and more eye appeal. Either way, I think I would be happy with any of them!! ;0)

These sound wonderful! Buttermilk pie is one of my favorites. By the way, I made your "shiny topped" cobbler this weekend - our daughter and her boyfriend were home from college. It was a MAJOR hit! Thanks! Kathy

Well Mary, I can sure see how that garden would stay in your mind. How beautiful in all their symmetry and beautiful color. I wish I had that kind of gardening patience.Your tarts look scrumptious. I will have to give them a try.Thanks for stopping by to visit and leaving your sweet comment. You must stop back again. I like to meet new friends.Crystal

Oh Mary, I am going to try these out, and I will let you know how I do with them. I am going to make some for the 4th of July celebration. The garden was so beautiful. I could smell the fragrance from the garden. I can see myself as a child walking on the concrete edge around the garden of Grandmas house. You had to run real quick to make sure you didn't get stung by a bee. Thanks so much for sharing, and thank you for stopping by Country Wings in Phoenix. I will be stopping by again for sure. Loved the pics. "Country Hugs," Sherry

Cut and paste- I am so making these. I was just thinking that on one of these cool days I need to make tart shells for those hot summer days and fresh fruits. On that day I am making a couple of these. YUM

Oh wow! What a gorgeous tart!!! foods charged with childhood memories just taste better :)I stopped in my tracks when I read "butermilk and cardamom": two of my favourite ingredients!Thanks for this recipe!

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